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Shan Masood makes bold statement about six Pakistan pacers

Masood is excited about the depth in Pakistan's fast-bowling department

Shan Masood makes bold statement about six Pakistan pacers PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood has expressed strong confidence in his team's fast-bowling arsenal.

While speaking to Bazid Khan in a PCB podcast, Masood opened up about managing the workload of his pacers during the upcoming Test season.

Pakistan has a busy Test schedule ahead till January 2025, with series against Bangladesh (home, 2 Tests), England (home, 3 Tests), South Africa (away, 2 Tests), and West Indies (home, 2 Tests).

“You have to manage their [pacers] workload. Like with Shaheen Afridi in Australia — he played two Test matches on the bounce, and we had to rest him for the third one because there was a heavy schedule coming up for him. We’ll keep looking at that,” Masood said.

Masood is excited about the depth in Pakistan's fast-bowling department, mentioning that the current squad boasts six highly talented pacers, each capable of offering something unique to the team.

“But the exciting part is that in our current squad, we’ve got six exciting fast bowlers. All six of them can make a claim for the playing XI, and all six offer something different. Wherever someone is required, and if it allows us to rest one of our premier bowlers, I think we’ll be in good stead, and it will give experience to the ones who play,” he said.

“We’re equally confident that the ones who step in—the new guys like Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Ali, and even Aamer Jamal to an extent — when they step in, whether Shaheen or Naseem Shah or another isn’t available, they all offer something that can win Pakistan games and pick those 20 crucial wickets,” he added.

Pakistan’s upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh begins on August 21 in Rawalpindi.